2020 Ford Fusion Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: June 23, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

COMPONENT/SYSTEM: Gasoline vapor entering the occupied passenger cabin through the HVAC vents during and after rain with the A/C or heat on. Root cause unidentified, not because it cannot be found, but because Ford Motor Company has not once tested the vehicle under the condition in which the defect occurs, and has refused in writing to assign an engineer who would. Suspected fuel system / evaporative emissions / cowl-to-HVAC intake pathway. Vehicle available to NHTSA for inspection on request. SAFETY RISK: The driver and passengers breathe gasoline vapor inside a closed, moving vehicle. Fuel vapor in an occupied cabin is an inhalation hazard and an ignition hazard. The owner drives with the windows open to vent it. Ford’s own agent acknowledged in writing on 09/24/2026: “I understand that your vehicle currently has a gas odor and you do not feel safe driving it.” Ford has since returned the vehicle to the owner unrepaired four times, has never stated it is safe to drive, and has stated in writing that it is closing the case. The vehicle is on the road today with the defect present. If this condition exists on other Fusions, those owners cannot rely on Ford’s dealer network to detect it, because Ford’s diagnostic procedure, as applied four times to this vehicle, does not test for it. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED BY DEALER: YES, BY FORD’S OWN DEALER, IN WRITING. Serra Ford Farmington Hills, authorized Ford dealer, repair order [XXX], opened 07/17/2026, 45,535 miles: “CUSTOMER STATES GAS SMELL FROM AC DUCT WHEN AC IS BLOWING FULL BLAST, VERIFIED ON DRIVE.” The advisor drove the vehicle and smelled it. First reported to the same dealer 06/23/2026, RO [XXX]: gas smell inside the cabin after rain, from the AC/heat. Ford Motor Company Customer Relations supervisor Juan Garza confirmed in writing on 10/21/2026: “I reviewed the July 17 repair order language stating that the concern was ‘verified on drive.’” The next day, 10/22/2026, the same supervisor recharacterized the same INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 20, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

Our 2020 Ford Fusion automatically shifts back into Park and displays the "Shift Sys Fault" error message, the primary culprit is a broken transmission shift cable bushing. Vehicle may be in gear and unable to stop itself from rolling on an incline unless parking brake is applied.

Incident: August 28, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

The contact's brother owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the owner was driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and there was misfire coming from the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated, and there was fluid leaking into the engine. An independent mechanic was contacted by phone. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to the manufacturing design of the engine. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Incident: September 22, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

2020 Fusion SEL with 41,000 miles. While driving at 65 mph with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly jerked on two separate occasions during a three-hour drive.

Incident: September 19, 2026 · Filed: September 20, 2026

I recently acquired this vehicle from a dealer after the previous owner traded it in and after reviewing the Carfax I did some deeper digging into this vehicle and discovered that there are 3 recalls that have not been serviced. I am hoping that there wasn't any secondary damage due to the recalled items as I haven't noticed anything necessarily wrong with the car but I figured I'd take it in to be safe. I also want a quote for a transmission drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH. The transmission is shifting fine, I just am looking to get it done as preventative maintenance and for peace of mind. The recall repairs are noted in the PDF attached below.

Incident: September 16, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

Coolant Intrusion. Started with thick white exhaust when starting up in morning. Turned into acceleration lags, car shutting engine off when parked, and exhaust smell coming inside of car. 2014-2019 models have a recall for cracked engine block allowing cooling to leak inside, but 2020 models do not although there is an increased problem with this year and model of car.

Incident: June 16, 2023 · Filed: September 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

Incident: July 8, 2026 · Filed: August 15, 2026

COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine cooling fan on my 2020 Ford Fusion SEL (1.5L, non-hybrid) became inoperable and blew three fuses. With the fans not operating, the engine overheated, destroying the head gasket and engine, requiring complete replacement. Failure occurred 07/08/2026 at 49,118 miles. WARNING SYMPTOMS: The A/C began blowing warm air roughly 2 days earlier. The engine temperature lamp illuminated on 07/08/2026 — the first and only time it ever came on. No prior overheating, no coolant loss, no leaks, no other alert. I stopped driving immediately on that single warning and had the vehicle towed. SAFETY RISK: A cooling fan failure progressing to engine destruction risks overheating, loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic or at highway speed. I stopped safely; a driver getting this same lone warning on a freeway would face a serious hazard with no notice. The vehicle's protections did not prevent a low-cost part from destroying the powertrain, and the sole warning came immediately before catastrophic damage. CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS: Yes. A certified technician at a licensed independent shop found the cooling fan assembly inoperable and identified it as the cause of both the A/C failure and the temperature warning, noting these vehicles are known to fail head gaskets this way. A second licensed engine shop documented the sequence: the electric cooling fan failed, which blew three fuses, causing an overheat condition that caused engine failure. Written findings, inspection reports, and invoices retained. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: None. Ford declined to consider assistance unless a Ford technician inspected the vehicle, by which time it was already at an independent shop mid-repair. No police or insurance inspection. MANUFACTURER AWARENESS: Ford SSM 48659 covers 2019-2020 Fusion/MKZ non-hybrids with cooling fans inoperative due to open fuses F59, F60, F63, causing engine overheat or lack of A/C cooling.

Incident: July 7, 2026 · Filed: July 31, 2026

I was backing out of my drive way when a shift system fault message appeared on my dashboard. When I went to change gears the rotary dial locked up and shifted to park. My safety as well as other people’s safety was put at risk because my car stopped in the middle of the street with little warning. My problem was confirmed by an independent service center with a obd scanner.

Incident: May 8, 2026 · Filed: July 12, 2026

While driving at 75mph on the freeway, my 2020 Ford Fusion suffered a sudden, catastrophic EcoBoost engine coolant failure. The vehicle instantly lost power and dropped to 35mph in active traffic, creating an extreme highway collision hazard. A mechanic has confirmed internal coolant intrusion in the engine block.